The Future of Education

EU mobility projects are an integral part of the HLW school culture and its guiding principles. The quality of the education we offer has significantly improved by participation.
The focus of education at the HLW Rankweil is on general studies and business studies along with foreign languages and hotel and catering management.
As a part of their five-year education the students have to complete a three-month mandatory work placement between their fifth and fourth school year.
More than 1,100 students, did their work placement in a hotel abroad within the last fifteen years. In order to find appropriate hotels the HLW Rankweil has managed to build up a network of about fifty partner organizations in England, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany and Lichtenstein.
The students choose a company on the basis of their foreign language ability and are principally employed in the kitchen, as waiters and waitresses, and on reception.
They get to know the structure and the management style of a hotel and in the process develop an entrepreneurial way of thinking. They learn new techniques of working, train their practical skills and realize the significance of teamwork. They learn to critically reflect on their attitude at work and to question methods of working.
By working abroad they significantly improve their competence in foreign languages and communication, which further motivates them to learn languages.
Independent and holistic thinking provide a crucial basis for a successful start in their career or further education.
Due to their stay abroad the students open up to new cultures and people, reduce prejudices and fears and identify themselves as EU citizens. They get to know Europe as an essential job market and living environment and gain international competences.

Keywords: learning on the job, skill expansion, self-reflection, independence, culinary  arts, personality development, foreign languages;